St Louis Grammar School is a school in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. History The school was established in 1924 by nuns from the St. Louis Order. For thirty years the school, which was all-girls, was accommodated within the main convent building. With the increase in student numbers it was decided to build a new school which opened in September, 1954. However, the numbers continued to increase and an extension was added in 1969, providing more classrooms and library. In 1970, the school went co-educational and boys were admitted from Sept­ember 1970. The numbers continued to increase necessitating additional temporary accommodation. A totally new building was constructed on the site of the all weather pitch and opened in 1982. In 2019, additional performing arts facilities were built. In 2020, the St. Louis Order transferred ownership of the school to the St MacNissi's Educational Trust of the Diocese of Down and Connor. This trust was established in 2004 and is responsible for 166 schools established by and associated with the parishes of the Diocese of Down and Connor. School principals –1987: Sister Sheila Canty 1987–2002: Mr. John Stuart 2002–2011: Mr. Frank Cassidy 2011–2021: Mr Sean Rafferty 2022– : Mrs Jackie O'Neill House system On entry to the school, pupils are assigned to one of seven houses where they remain for the remainder of their time at the school. Six of these houses are named after townlands in the Glens of Antrim. The seventh, Lir, which was added in 2021, is named after an ancient Irish sea god. Academics Besides the GCSE core subjects of English/English Literature, Mathematics, Religious Education and Science the following optional GCSE subjects are offered to pupils in Key Stage 4: Further Mathematics, Art & Design, Business Studies, Construction, Design & Technology, Drama, French, Geography, History, Home Economics, Information & Communication Technology, Irish, Music, Physical Education and Spanish. Post 16 pupils are offered a choice of 3 or 4 A-Levels. In the 2018 Belfast Telegraph GCSE League Table, it was ranked joint first in Northern Ireland for its GCSE performance with 100% of its 2016/17 entrants receiving five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C, including the core subjects English and Maths. In the 2019 League Table, it was ranked joint ninth with 99.3 of its GCSE entrants being awarded five or more a* to C grades. In 2019 it was ranked First among secondary schools in Northern Ireland